HARRY MÜRK
There are some men
who should have mountains
to bear their names to time.
Leonard Cohen
The above lines could well have been written for our dear friend Dr. Harry Mürk,
taken from us so suddenly on February 24, 2009. These brief notes of tribute are in the context of Harry’s exemplary work as interpreter (English and Estonian) in support of the language immersion program sponsored by the Canadian Government, the Estonian Government, and the Toronto District School Board.
From the moment I met Harry ten years ago, I was impressed by his immaculate command of English and, according to my Estonian colleagues, of the Estonian language as well. Harry’s depth of knowledge was profound and his love of Estonia, and all things Estonian, boundless. Harry’s personal and professional generosity was unparalleled. I will sorely miss our wonderful, private moments together at the Šoti Klubi in Tallinn, discussing our mutual passion for language over an appropriate libation. (For Harry, that would inevitably be a fine single malt Scotch.) At those times, Harry always displayed unlimited patience as I bombarded him with a seemingly endless stream of questions about Estonian language and culture.
Sleep well, my friend. Your memory lives on and you are missed more than you could ever know.
Robert McConnell
Co-ordinator, Estonian Language Immersion Project
Toronto District School Board
There are some men
who should have mountains
to bear their names to time.
Leonard Cohen
The above lines could well have been written for our dear friend Dr. Harry Mürk,
taken from us so suddenly on February 24, 2009. These brief notes of tribute are in the context of Harry’s exemplary work as interpreter (English and Estonian) in support of the language immersion program sponsored by the Canadian Government, the Estonian Government, and the Toronto District School Board.
From the moment I met Harry ten years ago, I was impressed by his immaculate command of English and, according to my Estonian colleagues, of the Estonian language as well. Harry’s depth of knowledge was profound and his love of Estonia, and all things Estonian, boundless. Harry’s personal and professional generosity was unparalleled. I will sorely miss our wonderful, private moments together at the Šoti Klubi in Tallinn, discussing our mutual passion for language over an appropriate libation. (For Harry, that would inevitably be a fine single malt Scotch.) At those times, Harry always displayed unlimited patience as I bombarded him with a seemingly endless stream of questions about Estonian language and culture.
Sleep well, my friend. Your memory lives on and you are missed more than you could ever know.
Robert McConnell
Co-ordinator, Estonian Language Immersion Project
Toronto District School Board
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